Ch.43What the heck is that?

“High Dream Episode 15 Ratings 28%! Will It Break the Coveted 30% Wall”

“If You Can’t Beat Them, Recruit Them – The Timeline with Lee J Continues Its Winning Streak”

“Lee J Fever Among Teenagers! The Lonely Genius with a ‘Surprising Charm’ of Being Frugal”

“High Dream Special Broadcast Announced! Mass Release of Making Films and NG Scenes?!”

“Mid-March, High Dream Cast Will Appear Before Viewers in Person. Special Performance Announced!”

High Dream here, High Dream there,

Even when trying to read non-entertainment news.

“Kim Donghu Selected as Brilliant Uniform Model! Youngest Uniform Model Debuts?”

Stories about Kim Donghu are pouring in everywhere.

While most people were excited about Kim Donghu’s success,

There were certainly places that weren’t.

“…That bastard Seokho.”

Cybers QA CEO Kyung Minsu frowned at the current situation.

After kicking out someone from the bottom who dared to stand up to his master and caused trouble,

That person set up a management company and was now thriving.

‘How much effort did I put into cutting off all his connections.’

As if mocking those efforts,

Choi Seokho was walking an easy path under Kim Donghu’s great achievements.

“Dig up Kim Donghu’s past, there must be something.”

Since the public sometimes enjoyed watching celebrities at the top fall,

Kyung Minsu tried his best to find any flaws in Kim Donghu.

But.

“There’s nothing, sir.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“Even when something might come up, Kim Donghu’s fan cafe blocks it all in advance.”

“Then arrange a meeting with whoever runs that fan cafe.”

“…There are rumors that Choi Seokho is the administrator.”

“What?”

Crazy bastard.

Kyung Minsu urgently swallowed those words before they came out.

As far as he knew, Choi was directly managing Kim Donghu’s schedule and running the company.

He’s running the fan cafe too?

This was exactly why Kyung Minsu had done his best to cut off Choi Seokho’s livelihood.

Because he knew how capable the man was.

“…But still, there must be some controversy, like school bullying, anything like that?”

“Even if there is, it gets deleted immediately or shield posts appear.”

“Shield? What’s that?”

“Ah… rebuttal posts.”

Kyung Minsu frowned at his subordinate’s explanation.

So there’s nothing they can do?

They just have to stand by like idiots and watch him succeed?

Feeling suddenly unpleasant, Kyung Minsu entered Kim Donghu’s fan cafe.

Indeed, most posts were supportive, praising Kim Donghu’s good looks.

This was quite normal for a fan cafe, but

The surprising part was something else.

‘The website design is corporate-level quality!’

It was so sophisticated that it seemed like they had hired professional developers.

Kim Donghu’s fan cafe had an incredibly sleek image.

Even bringing in a truckload of Cybers QA actor fan cafes wouldn’t match up.

Why would such professional talent create a fan cafe?

Are they unpaid?

While Kyung Minsu laughed dejectedly, envious of another’s success.

Tap tap tap tap tap.

There was a talented individual silently refining the homepage.

Squeak squeak.

A 15-year-old boy cleaning his glasses – Na Kangsik, Kim Donghu’s desk neighbor.

With natural talent for computers, Na Kangsik managed Kim Donghu’s fan cafe while working on his dream game project.

Why?

‘Because Donghu is my friend.’

To Na Kangsik, Kim Donghu was more than just a friend.

In elementary school, after being teased for his awkward speech,

And then being caught having an accident in the bathroom after drinking milk,

Na Kangsik became an outcast.

Once labeled an outcast, he remained one throughout elementary school,

Becoming more withdrawn due to the violent environment around him,

Eventually resigning himself to the idea that middle school would be the same.

But that’s when Kim Donghu appeared.

An incredibly handsome boy who was good at sports and studies,

Who didn’t tease him but showed genuine kindness and played with him,

Who enthusiastically joined in the notebook games he always wanted to play with others?

Na Kangsik recalled the first time Kim Donghu played his notebook game.

-No way, Kangsik! This doesn’t make sense, why do I have to start on the worst land?

-Be-because you rolled a 1…

-Why does Kim Minhyeok get to start on good land?!

-He rolled a 6…

-Can I pay real money? I’ll pay, don’t you have cash items?

-Mo-money is good but I th-think games should be fun wi-within the game itself.

-…

Whenever he thinks about that moment, his heart warms and he smiles.

But now someone is trying to defame his friend Kim Donghu?

‘I absolutely won’t forgive that.’

Fair criticism would be one thing.

One-sided attacks?

That was something Na Kangsik could not tolerate.

+++++

Time flew by quickly to the broadcast day of High Dream episode 16.

KBC Broadcasting Station was in the calm before the storm.

“This will be amazing if it works.”

“I know, I hope it does.”

The massive 30% ratings wall.

Even breaking that number for a moment would be incredible.

<High Dream> carefully unfolded its final broadcast.

-High Dream! Spread your dreams!

Unlike usual,

A gentle version of the OST played softly.

-…

-…

The male protagonist Song Cheolsu leaned out the bus window, lowering his head.

The female protagonist Yu Hyeri looked up at him and gently closed her eyes.

Then their lips met softly.

As the gentle OST gradually faded,

Snow fell from the sky as if blessing their kiss.

Normally, episode 16 would end here, but

After the caption “Thank you for loving High Dream” appeared,

The screen briefly went black before showing a completely different scene.

♪♩♪♩♬♩♪

Sweet piano music.

While everyone quietly appreciates Lee J’s recital,

The door at the back of the audience opens carefully, and someone enters.

-…Son.

Seeing her son’s piano performance for the first time.

With eyes full of love, regret for not having attended before,

And determination to change from now on.

-…

And Lee J, noticing that gaze, meets his mother’s eyes.

END.

The drama truly comes to an end.

“Wow… our Donghu’s acting is really…”

“Donghu? Is Kim Donghu your friend, Youngmo? No matter what, you should address him respectfully.”

“…Aren’t I more respectful than the director eating cherry pie while watching?”

“Let’s overlook the small things.”

Director Kim Cheoldo waited for the ratings with a straight face.

Why was he so nervous even though he knew the results wouldn’t be immediate?

‘I’ve never wanted to know future information more than at this moment.’

How many percent? How much is it, answer me.

After staring anxiously at his phone,

As the agonizing time slowly passed.

“The ratings are in!!!”

At the junior writer’s words, Kim Cheoldo urgently asked.

“How much?!!!”

“Yes! The ratings are…!”

After hearing the answer,

Kim Cheoldo,

“Hahahahaha!”

Laughed.

++++++

“High Dream, 30.2% Ratings! Rewriting Teen Drama History”

“Is School Uniform the Key to Popularity Among Teenagers? Uniform Photoshoot Featuring High Dream Members Explodes in Popularity!”

“Kim Donghu Uniform Craze, North Face? Now ‘Brilliant My’ is the Trend”

As news poured in relentlessly, time quickly flowed to early March.

‘Going to school after a long time.’

I put on my school uniform to prepare for the new semester.

‘Though it doesn’t feel that long since I wore it throughout High Dream filming.’

Plus, after becoming a uniform model, wearing a uniform now felt like casual clothes.

“Son, going to school?”

“Yes, I’m about to leave.”

“Alright, be careful.”

“I’m off.”

The biggest change at home recently was that mom had returned.

With mom back home and completely recovered,

The subtle tension that had filled the house was completely gone.

Dad still silently went to work as usual,

But I noticed his gaze toward mom was warmer,

And he hummed small tunes every morning before leaving for work.

‘Am I going to get a sibling?’

Even if it happened now, there would be a 16-year age gap.

An impossibly late child, but somehow it didn’t seem impossible.

‘Well, happiness is good.’

With that positive mindset, I got on my bicycle.

Normally I would have walked, but after becoming popular, this was better.

If I rode at a decent speed,

People wouldn’t recognize my face before I passed by.

And this method actually worked.

No one recognized me until I reached the school gate.

‘Now let’s enjoy everyday life after a long time.’

Thinking that, I locked my bicycle nearby and headed toward the school gate when suddenly,

“…What is that?”

I looked up at the banner above the school gate.

【Congratulations! High Dream 30.2% Ratings! Shinbit Middle School’s Pride Kim Donghu! Great! Amazing! Incredible!】

Ah.

I felt dizzy.

‘…Isn’t this social murder?’

I was so embarrassed I could die.

Wait, they actually put up a banner?

It wasn’t a joke?

++++++

At the same time in a dark studio.

“I-I’ve finished the preliminary edit!!!”

The preliminary edit of the independent film <The Real Hero> was finally complete.